Christian Legal Group Forced to Remove Nativity Scene For Atheist Display
A Christian legal group is being forced to remove its Nativity display from the Nebraska Capitol because the space is reportedly reserved for an atheist group's display.
The Thomas More Society will reportedly be allowed to display their Nativity scene next week but must remove it from the Nebraska Capitol building in Omaha by December 21, as a local atheist has reserved the area for his display.
While the Thomas More Society claims that the atheist group refuses to share the area with their display, the atheist group has argued that there is simply not enough room for both displays.
"They have proved our point that all speech is welcome, except Christian," Martin Cannon, attorney for the Thomas More Society's local Omaha chapter said in an interview with the Lincoln Journal Star. "We would have shared our space with them, but they are not willing to do the same."
The Thomas More Society recently announced its plans to host the display of several Nativity scenes across the U.S., including Texas, Illinois and Georgia, among other places.
The legal group's president and chief counsel, Tom Brejcha, said in a statement that the group's goal is to promote religious freedom and freedom of speech across the U.S. through the installment of Nativity displays.
"Anti-Christian, anti-Christmas rhetoric and Satanic expositions merely serve to provide sharp emphasis by means of their stark contrast with the positive, uplifting, hopeful and joyous message of Christmas," Brejcha said in a statement.
"A message that bears secular as well as religious significance, as it highlights the hope and miracle of birth and new life, the inherent dignity of each and every human being, focusing our attention on the humble and lowly infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger amidst straw and animals, honored by shepherds and kings alike and heralded by choirs of angels," he added.
